Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim
The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has urged the National Peace Council to partner with his ministry to resolve chieftaincy disputes and promote peace across Ghana.
The appeal was made during a courtesy call by the management of the National Peace Council at the ministry’s offices on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Welcoming the delegation, the minister praised the Council’s efforts in maintaining peace during the 2024 general elections, particularly for facilitating the signing of a peace pact by political parties and their presidential candidates.
“I want to commend you for the tremendous role you played in ensuring peace in the just-ended 2024 general elections,” he stated.
Ahmed Ibrahim highlighted the merger of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs with the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development, as formalized by the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2025 (E.I. 1).
He noted that this new structure positions the ministry to address pressing issues, including chieftaincy disputes, which he described as “an albatross around the neck of our Traditional Authorities.”
The minister called for collaboration with the Peace Council, leveraging its expertise in conflict prevention and resolution.
“With your expertise and proven track record in conflict prevention, management, resolution, and sustainable peace, I would want you to collaborate with this Ministry in resolving existing disputes amongst the various Traditional Authorities amicably and prevent new ones from cropping up,” he said.
He further proposed that the Council work with Regional Coordinating Councils and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to strengthen decentralized structures.
This, he explained, would help communities appreciate and understand the values of diversity, trust, tolerance, confidence building, negotiation, mediation, dialogue, and reconciliation.
“My Ministry is committed to working closely with you in ensuring peace prevails in all aspects of society for the promotion of good governance and development that would meet the aspirations of the ordinary citizens,” the minister added.
Speaking to the media, the Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, George Andoh assured of the Council’s commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders including the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to resolve chieftaincy disputes which have the potential to hinder national development.
You can also watch the latest episode of #Trending GH as Ghanaians call for economic solutions instead of KIA renaming